1.) Over decorating
You don't want your professional pictures to show a specific time of year. What if you list around Christmas and in March your house still hasn't sold and all of your pictures have Christmas decorations in them? Now your home looks dated and it's obvious when it went on the market. You don't want buyers to assume you're desperate to sell your home because its been on the market for so long.
Too much decorating can be overwhelming. We always talk about decluttering and ensuring you have neutral tones in your home. The reason behind that is that you want to ensure that people can see THEMSELVES living in the property. You don't want them to only be able to imagine your life.
2.) Showing Strategies for buyers AND sellers
Plan your holiday activities carefully. Buyers this time of year are serious. When they see something they like they are ready to move, make an offer, and make things happen quickly.
Sellers you want to make sure you are available on short notice.
Buyers remember, it is the holiday season so you only want to see homes that you may be serious about.
3.) Picking a good closing date
Everyone is busy during the holidays. Not just buyers and sellers, but lenders and closing companies. So you never know what can, and will come up.
If closing before the end of the year is important to you, then you want to make sure you give youself a couple days of wiggle room for any unforeseen circumstances.
You want to close as soon as possible and ensure that your goals are reached.
There is a difference between closing and occupancy!
Time to get creative!!!
4.) Occupancy Strategies
Homes aren't closed until they CLOSED!!!
Lease Back Options: Buyers and Sellers......a lease back option can be a great option for getting a home closed as quickly as possibe. You may not want to be moving during the holiday so buyers can lease back to the sellers after closing.
3 days after closing: Sellers may need a couple extra days to make sure they have everything out of the home.
5.) Security during the holidays.
Just to wrap up the day we want to make sure everyone stays safe.
Real estate is a business and we love to make it tons of fun. However, therer are people out there who can and will ruin it for people. You always want to make sure you are aware of your surroundings.
As an agent I live by the rule of, if it doesn't feel right.....trust your gut.
Make sure all showings are confirmed through your agent and brokerage. If people are showing up without representation BEWARE!!!! They could be staking out your house to see what you have.
It gets dark earlier and earlier...make sure you are comfortable with anyone who is helping you find your home or going with you on showings.
After Christmas any boxes that you get break down turn inside out. That way people don't know, from your trash, any expensive electronics that you may have gotten.